Pharmacologists: What do you think about naturopathic medicine?

Somewhat worthwhile or complete 'quackery'? What about naturopathic physicians?

I think they are quacks. If it works, why aren't there studies comparing naturopathic treatment results vs pharmacologic treatment results? Because the practitioners don't want to go head-to-head with western medicine.
I am a PharmD candidate (5 months to my degree!) who has worked in public health 30 years. I am not big on drugs- I think lifestyle changes and prevention should be the emphasis- but there are some conditions that would not be cured/endured without pharmaceutic intervention. We have good data on accupuncture and other non-Western practices, but not much on naturopathics. We did have lectures on naturopathy, so to be fair, I have studied the principles of it. But I can't go on National Library of Medicine and find anything definitive to back it up; I CAN do this with any drug on the market, and many that haven't made it to market yet.
I have heard of a few people who felt they got a cure from naturopathy. This is called anecdotal evidence- based on one person's experience. You cannot buy any drug on the market or even over the counter meds wihout the FDA having certified the product is pure of contaminants, contains uniformly in each batch the exact amount of active agent, all additional diluents and extra agents are listed, and scientific proof exists backing the claim each agent purports (ie, pain reliever products must be proven to reduce pain in studies). Naturopathic stuff is considered supplemental and does not have to meet any standards for purity, dose and efficacy.
I know how to compound sterile preparations, but believe me- I wouldn't trust these products. When I am sick- I ensure that a licensed doc verifies what is wrong and prescribes a sterile, proven product to alleviate the condition. And if I disagree, I get a second opinion. (And I HAVE! Even tho my doc is professor at a medical school and has known me over 15 years!) Plus, my insurance pays for it- do they pay the fees for these docs? I doubt it. Does Medicare or Medicaid pay for these treatments? Don't think so.
Sorry, but I vote with evidence-based medicine.

(And how many of the other responders are identifying themselves as pharmacologists?)

My untreatable cancer is going away. It decided to try and 'spontaneously remit' AFTER I started on herbs, minerals, vitamins and healthy food. I can't legally say that my change in diet is curing cancer, but I CAN have an opinion.

There are many good books on the subject, and one that isn't too hard to find is," A Cancer Therapy-Results of 50 Cases" by Max Gerson. Best of luck.

And I'd be surprised if you get a medical professional to respond with anything but the official AMA party doctrine. They get punished for going off the reservation.

no they work wonders but u need to ahve patience
they are natural and contain all the treatment one requires.it is not quackery at all.

The tuition is rather expensive... Not covered under most student loans.

More people are starting to believe in it and follow it. It will become the trend when the doctors have taken all they can from their patients and their insurance companies and still can't cure anything (or the side effects caused by treatment) with traditional pharmaceuticals.

Regular doctors are in the business of treating symptoms... not people. naturopathic physicians treat people and their symptoms. Both however are in it for the money more than anything else, both make plenty of money either way... but at least the natural doctors give something back...